Kids Consumed By Phones, TV, Computer, Video Games

These days it seems hard to separate kids from all of their electronic devices. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

These days it seems hard to separate kids from all of their electronic devices. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

According to a new study kids 8 to 18 years old now devote almost a whole working day --more than 7 and a half hours -- to a smart phone, computer,television, video game or other electronic device. That's up almost ninety minutes from the last study, five years ago.

Researchers say the dramatic increase is powered largely by the fact that today more kids own cell phones and ipods, and most electronic devices are handheld and portable.

The study noted the heaviest users were more likely to report they got into trouble, were not happy at school and 47 percent made average grades or lower.

So if you're a parent what should you do?

A pediatrician and father of two teens says parental involvement is key, saying parents need to set up rules on how much time kids can spend on these devices.

Do you see a problem with kids spending too much time on these devices? How exactly would you get kids to spend less time consumed with today's technological offerings?

Online Public Information File

Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or fccinfo@fcc.gov.